Well, how would someone know if she really had an injury or was using the MTO to stall? Almost impossible to tell.

True. Vika fans claim injury, haters claim gamesmanship. Always a lot of drama. I'm not so sure what happened this time, nerves or a real problem. Don't care that much either. Not that i like strategical MTO's very much but players should be able to handle this, it's sort of part of the game.

I think that the problems in the match started when Vika had 4-2 lead in the second set and she was serving but suddenly she made two doublefaults in row. It gave an advantage and a relatively easy break for Sloane. Before the much talked medical timeout Vika has already had 5 match points in 5-3 situation. After Vika came back to the court Sloane still had her own serve left and a chance to equalize the second set to 5-5. So I don´t think it was unfair to Sloane that Vika took a timeout for her more or less serious physical condition.

About this question of injuries I haven´t doubt that e.g. Serena Williams had real injuries in Australian Open or Maria Sharapova faked her injuries in Brisbane. I don´t play tennis myself, but I run on a regular basis, and I have learnt to listen to my body to avoid serious injuries in legs and other body parts. Surely professional athletes like Victoria Azarenka has learnt how to avoid to make their injuries worse. A tennisplayer needs at least healthy legs, hands, and lungs.

What comes to those strong reactions that Vika just faked her injuries, I think a large part of criticism comes to those people who would hate Vika no matter what she does. The most common assumption was that Serena Williams beats Vika in semi-final and Maria in final, but that won´t happen this time. Now some people feel frustrated to the result that the actual final is Vika vs. Na Li. Besides Sloane Stephens probably got lot a of sympathy as a Giant Slayer like Laura Robson in US Open 2012.

Finally I think some people don´t always understand Vika´s twisted sense of humour like what she says in her interviews after the match. For instance in French Open 2012 Vika said "I’m going to kill myself" after her loss to Dominika Cibulkova, and then some sport reporters probably expect more neutral answers like "I did the best but it wasn´t enough today" or something like that.

Despite of all that criticism let´s not forget that on Saturday Vika has all the chances to win her second Grand Slam title and as a bonus to remain world No.1..

This definitely seems to be blown out of proportion due to Vika being Vika and Sloane being an American. And I hate saying this but why would Vika feel the need to fake a MTO if the match wasn't even close? At 5-4 in the third, yes but not in the second.

I really do feel like everyone who doesn't like her or desperately wanted Sloane to win is on a bloody witch hunt simply because Vika isn't a cookie cutter personality.

This is why i love Vika. She handles haters. She and the williams sisters are just amazing at that. Vika is drama. Vika is fuckery. Thats what makes her a legend. Shes an awesome player. She earned her spot in the top of the rankings. VIKA IS AN INSPIRING PLAYER.

OMG I'm sooo happy 3rd straight HC GS F and a great possibility to win second straight Australian Open -- wow, I always secretly believed that Victoria was going to defend her first title in Australia, her best slam/tournament but pretty hard to defend that posture though with the past facts but this is so close, hope Victoria doesn't blow this off. She's got a 100% winning record against Li the past year hope things doesn't change in the F.

The doctor was even waiting by the door to come out and treat Vika, but she did not call for him at the change of ends after she twigged her knee. I think she just wanted to wait it out.

Anyway. I hope she is on a 48 hour TOTAL social media and news ban and isn't allowed to read a single thing. She needs to focus on winning this slam. Allez up your fucking ass to all the haters who pounce on her for every little thing.

This definitely seems to be blown out of proportion due to Vika being Vika and Sloane being an American. And I hate saying this but why would Vika feel the need to fake a MTO if the match wasn't even close? At 5-4 in the third, yes but not in the second.

I really do feel like everyone who doesn't like her or desperately wanted Sloane to win is on a bloody witch hunt simply because Vika isn't a cookie cutter personality.

THANK YOU. This is just ridiculous. Vika was obviously hampered otherwise she would've closed out that match easily, so 'strategical' MTO my ass. I'm tweeting rants at Cronin and Rothernberg as we speak. And these people are journalists? More like disgraceful windbags.

THANK YOU. This is just ridiculous. Vika was obviously hampered otherwise she would've closed out that match easily, so 'strategical' MTO my ass. I'm tweeting rants at Cronin and Rothernberg as we speak. And these people are journalists? More like disgraceful windbags.

Funnier still I watch this match on ESPN2 and the replay on Tennis Channel and ALL the commentators noticed Vika limping 2-0 in the second set. So they knew something was physically wrong with her, yet they act like she was faking the MTO as a way to fuck with Sloane.

And it's not even a question if they would've reacted the same way if Sloane was a 19 year old Lithuanian instead of American. Of course they wouldn't.

Forever Supporting:The EmpressQueen VeeMasha, VikaSexlanaCaroBear

When Daylight's fading,We're gonna play in the dark
Till it's golden again

What's strange is that normally I'd already be nervous as f*ck considering she is going to play one of the most important matches of her career soon but this whole fuss somehow distracts me to a point where I'm not even all that nervous about next match. It's a strange feeling. I mean, hardly anyone is even talking about the fact that she just reached the final of a GS.